UN Human Rights Chief: ‘Handful of Men’ Hold Near‑Unlimited Power Over AI
| Source: Mastodon | Original article
UN human rights chief warns a small group holds near‑unlimited AI power and urges governments to act quickly with stronger safeguards.
UN human‑rights chief Volker Türk used Monday’s Human Rights Council session in Geneva to warn that a “handful of men” now wield “almost unlimited power” over artificial intelligence. Speaking without naming any companies or individuals, he said the concentration of control “turns freedom into little more than the freedom to exploit our data” and flagged AI as an “existential risk to humanity.”
Türk’s remarks come as governments worldwide scramble to keep pace with rapid advances in AI’s computing capacity. He urged states to move faster in establishing “stronger safeguards” that protect privacy, prevent discrimination and curb the unchecked influence of a few powerful actors. The call underscores growing concerns that the current market structure—dominated by a small group of tech leaders—could sideline human‑rights standards and amplify societal harms.
The warning adds pressure on policymakers already debating AI regulations, from the EU’s AI Act to national initiatives on data protection and algorithmic transparency. Observers will watch whether the UN will draft a formal resolution or set up a dedicated monitoring mechanism, and how major AI firms respond to the criticism.
Türk’s intervention signals a shift from abstract debate to concrete accountability, reminding the international community that the governance gap around advanced AI is not merely technical but a fundamental human‑rights issue. The next weeks will reveal whether the council’s deliberations translate into binding commitments or remain rhetorical.
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